HomeMy WebLinkAbout0287.094,
May 19, 1994
HONORABLB CITV COUNCIL
Palo Alto. California
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HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD RBCOMMBNl'l\TlON ON NhTlONAL R8GISTBR
LISTING fQR TilE SQU'l'!lBR!!J'AClIUC RiiI!.l'..Ql\\I 1l8PQf{VIlII'IlllStTLl!.\,!llilJ1l
Members of the Council:
This report transmits the attached Hi storie ReSOU1'ces Boal:d CHRB)
recornrrtendation for City Coullci 1 endorGem~nt of Uie HHS's appl ica
tion to add the Southern Pacific iSP) Raih-oad Depot to the
National Registel." of Historic Places.
In 1979, an application to add the SP Dopot at 95 University
Avenue, built in 1940, to the National RCnl.stet-.... 'as flub:'nitted to
the State Office of Historic Preservation. Since the building was
not fifty years old, the application waS returnod to the Palo
Alto's Historic Resources BO'lrd for additiona.l work to' document the
buIlding's exceptional importance. Lat"er-, on September 1, 19'93,
former Council f'olember Gail Woolley requested the URB to complete
the application for National Register listing of the Depot (see
excerpt of 9/1/93 HRB minutes.). Upon completing tho rovised
application, the HRB. on April 20. 19"94. unanimousl:,' recor.:rnended
City Council endorsement of this appl ication for National Register
listing (see ex~erpts of 4/20/94 KRB minutes} .
'fhe SP Depot is own(!d by Stanford Ulliversity, and p()rtions of the
site are leased to the City of Palo Alto and subleased to the Santa
Clara County Transportation Agency. All parties were contacted by
the URB and agreed to the preparation o[ the National Register
application. The State Office of Historic Preservation also -will
contact these parties once it receives the application from the
City.
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The principal effect of a listing on the National Register iD to
bestow national recognition of a particular building or district
for its historic and al:.'chite~tural significance. CUlTently. palo
Al to has eleven buildings and two districts on tllS Nat ional
Register (see attached list). Nhile City Council endorsement of
the application .i.s not required by the National Park Service or t11e
State Office of Historic preservation, the HRB requested Council
endorsement to highlight Palo Alto' B corrrnitment to recogntze its
architectural and historic heritage, particularly dUk:ing the City's
centennial year,
The attached HRB transmittal identifies several benefit8 of a
National Registet' listing, including 1) the aforementi(med
recognition of historic and architectural merit, and 2) potential
use of the more flexible Historic Building Code if restoration .... ·ork
is required. Tn addition, potential use of state and federal
funding is enhanced when upgrading of a National Register building
is required.
National Register status on the Depot would not have any effect on
either future leasing of the building or structural upgrading of
the huilding. unless either action ,.,-.auld result in major exterior
modifications to the building that could bE-considered an adverse
vi3\.lal change. In those situations, preparation and public revle .... ·
of an environmental impact report (EIR) would he required be~ore
such changes could occur, in order to assure protection of a
building on the National Register.
After the City Council acts on the HRB recorM'lendation. the attached
application will be forwarded to the State Office of Histot'ic
Preservation for review by the State Historical Resources Commis
sion. If th'2 Commission acts affirmatively, it. will r.equest the
State Historic Preservation Officer to fOl:.mally nominate a National
Register listing of the Depot by the National Park Service. Tile
National Park Service will make the final determination on the
application. If it appr-oves the nomination, the Southern Pacific
Depot will be added to the listing of the National Rp..gister of
Historic Places.
~QONCLUSIQN
Staff supports the HRB's recommendation for City Council elldorse
ment of this National Register application. Staff also believes
that the addition of the Southern Pacific Depot to the National
Register in Palo Alto· s Centennial Year further reinforces Palo
Alto's cOTlUl1.itment to honor appropriate buildings and sites that,
enhance the' City's architectural and h~storic heritage.
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5/19/94
Page 2
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The Histol.'ic Resources Board rec.ommends that t.he City Council
endorse, as policy, the attaciled applicat.ion, to include the
Southern Pacific Rail'coad Depot at 95 University AVetlUe in the
listing of National Register of Historic Places.
Respectfully sWbmitted,
.~ f~I>.d-W
GBORGE ZIMMERMAN
Assistant Planning Official
KENNETH R. SCHREIBER
Director-of Planning and
Community Environment v~·· ,.
BE ARD 'I~-OJNY
Assistan '/ City r"anager
Attachments: 1.
2.
3.
4.
Historic Resour.ce's Board transmittal to the
City Council of 25 April, 1994.
~a,tional Register of Historic Places
Registration Patm
Excerpt, 9/1/93 HRB minutes
Excerpt, 4/20/94 HRB minutes
cc: Historic Resources Board
Stanford University (David Neuman, Andy Cae, Leonie Batkin)
Joint POtoiers Board (Thomas Davids)
Santa Clax-a County Transportation Agency (Kiyo Ushino)
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5/19/94
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5 Hay 1994
Honorable City Council
city of Palo Alto
IIISTOIUC
RBSOCRCES
_~RD_
'file National Reqifiter of Historic Places is our country's official list of
buildl11qs, dist .... icts, strQctllros~ sites and objects significant in American
history, .orchitectu:t:H, engineering, archeology and culturl!. The National
R€<Jlster is part of a l1~tionnl program to sUPPOl.,t public and private efforts
to identify, evaluate and preserve our country1s historic and archeological
!.."esourcos.
There ftre a nUJ~bar of benefits associatl}d with Plational Register listing
which nssist in-preserving historIc pl'operties. These benefits include!
-'Listed propertios arc recognized for their architectural and
historic ~Ol'th. and date-rained worthy of preserval-ion.
--Listed pr<>p~rties nay use the Cal ifornia statp. Historic
Bl.lildlnq Code in restoration work; a more flexible alternative
to the Unifor~ BuIlding Code.
-Fedoral InconE!' invest mont tax credits are available for
quallfiod bUilding rohabilitation.
-Prop~rty tax reductions may be available through the Mills
Act.
HistQclc properties ofter a tangible link to our past and help to create a
sens~ of place and identity. In Palo Alto, we are fortunate to have numerous
historic properttes, incll..ldinq 11 buildings and: 2 districts listed on the
National Register. Some of these properties include: the Downing House (706
Cowper streot), the Hostoss House (MacArthur Park), the downtown Post Office,
the squir~ )fouse, the Fraternal Hall Buil,Ung (140 University Avenue) f the
Pc...<Jro de !Almos House (110 Waverley Oaks), as well as the Professorville
111stox-ic District and the Ramona Street Architectural District.
In 1919, an application for National Register lAsting of the Southern Pacific
Railroad Dopot, at 95 university Avenue, was submitted for state and national
review. Por several reasons, the review process was never completed. This
year tho JU",toric Resources Board (HRS) has updated and supplemonted the
necessary subl!i ttal infortrlation in order to reapply for N'ational Regh;ter ~
listing.
_________________ City or 1',10 Alto _______________ _
Transmittal to Council
5 Hay 1994
page 2
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The S.P .. Depot is of qreat 8rchitectural,siqr'lif1c!'lInca duo: to it's I1Strearnline
Hoderna'" dOB19n. 1\ bul1dinq populal' in tho 1930 /s, ~ode):n(t Is, and was,
emblf3matic of th~ l\:(\chine llqG and technol09Y. 'l'h&re was a strong and
opti:rnistic belief during the Deprossion Br~ In the power of technology and
the value of J:lachlnos to !"prove 'llf{,J, T'his WIlS reflectf)d in numerous
buildinq£! of the periO<l. Glass block, strollCJ horizontal for-ms, curved
corners and clean sinplo orna1l,Etntation-sV",bols of the nachine-are
characterh;tics of St.:t-etlldlne H(,",.(if)rn9~ 'The S.('I. Depot is an outstanding
ex:anple of this ar-chit.ectural style dnd 15 ospe-cially unique In that the
streamline style was raroly use-d In thO' design of ,Califotilla railroud stations.
This Infor~ation is iOtw~rdect to you with a reconHendation fro~ the HRB that
council approvo submission of the lIpplicat10n for National Register listing.
It is unquestionably tic.cly, in tho year of Palo Alto's Centennial, to
acknowledge and pronoto pt"esorvation of ono of tho city's unique and
signlficc:lnt buildings. 'I'he IIRlJ heart! ly encournges yOUl" endorsement and
support of listing the Southern Pac!! 1e Depot on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Ji» MoFall
Historic Resources Board
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NPS Fonn 1()'900
(Rev. 1().9l»
OM8No.l024·00I&
Uni!ed States O~P8r1me nl of the Intefior
N'aHonaf Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
REGISTRATION FORM
This form Is for US8: In nomlnaling or requestir.o determinations fo, individual p.-opaf1ieS eoo (Jistrk(s. Sea
In~rudlons In How 10 Cornpl~le the NallM81 ReQistec of H'is{<)rlc P1ace.s Re-gistmHoo Fonn (NallorIS] R~t<J:Cf
Bulle!1n 1BA). Comp!'~t6 each Hem b~ marking "x' r!1lh~ appropriate box 0' by cnleling the IMormatioo feqlJ{!S(eQ:,
" any Hem does not appfy to Ihe Pfoperty being dOOJmenled, enler -NfA" fOf "P04 applJcabl'e," FD( rUOdions,
architectural classification. materials, aoo areas or Signll'icence, enle( 0l11y calegOO~S 800 subcalC90li~ (rom Itt-a
lnstructlons. Flace ad(Ulional enlries and narrative rtems on ooolinualion sheels (NPS Foon 1()..woa). ~e a:
typewriter, word pro¢I)SS(lf, or romJMer, 10 com~ele aH iLems.
historic na m e South em P.pcjficR~PQI ______ ~
other name5/site Ilumber ______ _
2,loca!f{ln
::-====-::-=======::-~::.==""======:==::=""=======::-=====""=~=o:=="''''=;:oo::==-====:r===.::===-==::.=::.=:::.~ .... '"
street & n umber __ ~univer~li.A.~ve",n"",,,,---____________ ~._ oot ro-:-po~i.:.allon _______ lY.A ___ ·."
6tyor 1000'm Pa'oAl!o ___ .. __ .. __ . _____ vidnily ___ WA _____________ _
Slate CarifQmla COde ........5d:!. ____ ._ counly __ ~itn~'-clafa __ ._. COde . ____ Q.Il_~ ____ _
zip COde J43~
3, SlalalFedoraf Age ney Cer1ific-d!iCH"l
As the desiGnated authority under the Nalional Hislonc Pre5eNalion Act 011986. 85 .&mendoo. I hereby 00 lity
that lilis __ nomination __ request for determinallon or cr~ibiljlY meels lhe documenLauon ~I~.f»jards '>r
regl~el'ing properties In the National R~I~le( or Hlstorie Places and meets (he procedural aM pt"ofess.tooa'
requlremen1s set forth In 3.8 CFR Part &0, If) my opinion, the p!"operty __ mee!s __ dQ.e.~ 1101 meE-\ the
National Register Crileria. I recommend that this. propertv be conSidered Significanl_naHonally __ ~ :s,1&lemde
_locally. (_~ See conlinuation sheet fOf·addfllonel comments.)
Signature 01 certifying official
State Of Federal agency and bureau ----.--.-~~-.. ----.-. ---_ .. _----
In my opinion, the proper1y __ meels __ d~s nol meet jhe National Register criteri3, (~See cof'l,l~nlJa'ion
shoot for additional comments.)
Signature of commenling or other official -----------~-----Oa:e---·---------------
Stale or Fede'f8 I agency and bureau
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= •• o~;~~==c=~~=== •• ================.c=~==~~=~s=====~=======~=~=====c====~==~~
4. Natronal "ark Servica Cortificallon
;:;=::II:III:= •• III'l1;=IIII=~=.r.II===.II=====II'==== .. ~c==;:a===IJ-=:==.lI"=======:";::====11 ... -==1111 .. ====1:
I, hereby cortlty (hal (his jl<oporty Is:
entered In the Nal!onal Regl$ter
--__ Se! oontrflu81 Ion Meet.
__ delennln ed elig illle (or!h e
Natlonat Regls1er
__ Sao continuation sheet
_ detl!lmlned not eligible for the
Nallonsl Register
__ removed from the Nationsl ReGj~er
__ olh.r(oxplaln): ___________ , ______ _
:5. ClassifiC<ltion
---,---
:::===:::: =====:::::::::::::::: ~:::::: III::: "':: 1:::: .. :::: = .. ======:: =:'::'==="'"=== '" =.:::.::::::::"' =:::::::::: ====-=:;:: = "'=="",,::
OYmership of Property (Check as msn~ boxes as. apply)
.lL priv8!C
-.1L pubj'lc--local
_ pui)IIc--Slate
_ public-Federal
Calegory of Property (Check only one box)
.lL btJilding(s)
dislriCi
sne
_~ru~ure
_obJeC!
Number of Resources wtthin Property
Conl riMing
-..1...-
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:I:
NonconlribLIling
__ buifo'inos
__ sUes
~slruc:tures
__ objects
~.Total
Nu m ber of contri buling resources previously listed in the Naliona I
Reglste'_l/.Q __ _
Name or relaled multiple PfOper1)1li~ir.g (Entel "N/A" if property is not part or a mulHple P({)porty listing.)
NlA
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1:11:::;"==11=:1:"====::::1======:1.",,===,,==-====;====1:="==:1::======_1::===================::===='===::=-
6. Function or Use
~II::~=====~====~======~=~========"=~===========~=====~==============~========~=====
H~ori<; FuncUo/ls (Enle( categories flam inslructions)
Cs!: Tra.o.,.~-11Q.i!on StJb: Ral!·relaJOO
.~---------
Current Functions (Enle( ca!eg'ol1es from ins!ructrons)
Cal: Transoolfallon Sub: _----.I@j..oJ~.1!t"io!1Jn"-___ _
--------==== ---------------------------------------------
7. Oescrip(ion
a~~====~======================~~===================~=======~~==~===============~=
Archilectufal Classifiealion (Enler allegories from ins1ructions)
ModefQ~Olen!lM~ ___ _
Materials (Enl.er c.iltegories (rom instructions)
touoo&lion _.J&fl..Idete
roof Bu·~II·up !!rnJL-
walls Concro!o OIaSl.er brig.. glass (bfocJ.:l.
NMa!ive OeSCfiplioR (Oescribo the l'Iistonc and current condillon of the proPErty on one or more continualion
sl><elq
See Cflnlinualion Sheets.
3. Statement or Slgnificanco
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Applic.able Nallonal Reglsl.er Criteria (Mark"x'" in one or more boxes for lhe criteria quelirying the property ror
Nationsl Regls!er listing)
__ A Property is associale<! ¥If1h e .... enls thai have made a significant
c.oolribullOfllo the broad pallEms of our history.
B Property is associated with lhe lives or persons signiffcan! in our pas!.
-.X... C Property embodies the distinctive ctraraC(erisHcs of a type, periOd, or melhOd 0' conslru~ion Of
represenls the W{).1( of 8 master. or possesses high artislic values, or represents a signiHcanl and
dis1imlulshable entity 'M,OSC components la(".k individ'.Ial dislinction.
D Property has yielded, or is likely 10 yiekllnformalion importan1, in prehislory or hlstori.
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Crltelis CooAAllilOOs (M!tft"XW ft! alilhe boxes that Gppfy.)
A """"" by • leloglOus inst~uUon 0( ""'" ro.· ,,1,,100' P<Jrposes.
B removed from Its orig1nal Joca!ioo.
__ C a birt~1Ce 0( 8 ({(ave.
__ 0 8 Cth""at~lY.
_ E ~ rc«>.'»!N<le<J boil<1<"i!. ~cd.o: 51"",,,, •.
F III Q)mnH)(r~)fathle Pf~r.
G feS:5 fP\80-50)o'8 ars or &g6' ~ -Klliel{oo $lIJniflCSl"ICtl wtU)ill the past 50 years.
Afess _ or S itjo,i-ft(;8fKe (E.ni fi( catCV:>ties frem lostNdOOs)
•. -~'ML .. _ ... __ • __ .. _ .. __
.------.------,---.----.-----.-.. -~--~ ====== .... =.-..... -... -
-.------.---....... ~-<-----_ .. _------_._-----. __ .-._--_ ...... '_.-..
---_.-..... _-
-~-.-~--.-------~--,.---
SlQniflCttn! Cales . ___ J:JlJ:l_~. ____ _
-~---.-----.-,-.--.---
-----· _____ •• H
S.io;}nir1l.'.8"nl PorSon (Cc<nPlele;'f Crilerioo a Js maf1o;oo above} __ K~lnA _____ ~ __ __
CuJtufSJ Affill.aUoo _~ ________ . ____ _
-----.. _-------._--
AfcN-~ui1d~t ,~C • .!lh,,;e,.r __ _
s_ P design O[ftOe
Narrativ4' Statement of Signlncaoce (Explain tho s~"iricanoe althe propet1)1 on one or more conlinualfon sh8els.)
See aUIlChed COnlin!J8tion S~1.
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9. Me]orBibllographJ.ca1 Rerfl(ences
~ •••• ~ •••• a~===~~~ ••• D ••• ~ •• ~~~~ ••• ~~=.===~=~=~~=~~~=.~ .. ~~~= ••• ~~=~=~~==e=~~~.~=
Pre ..... IOtJ.$ dOOVr.Hll1l.aUon OIl file (NPS)
_ prelimlnary d~lerminatron of fr'rdivJdual Ji$l:iog (36 CfR 61) has been
reqlJ~ed.
_ previously Iw"oo In the National RegIster
_ previously de-lenT11ned 81igibl9 b~ the Nauonal,Rtgisttr
_ des1gnaled .a Na1 ~n.al, HfstO(fc LeoornU,.
_ recorded' by H\.storte Amcri¢an au)fd{ngs SUNey til _____ ~._.
_ recorded by HisI¢rfc Arne Ilean Eoglneerillg RIXxxd , ________ ~_
Primal) Localion of Additiooal DaIs
_ Slate Historic PreservaliOfl Office
___ Other Stale agency
_ Federal agency
L Loea I ~vern men!
__ Unive'sily
_Other
Name or reposilo~; Cily of PalQ A.l!.Q __ •
ACfeage or p/()per1y 1.3 acres <approx,) ._. __
UTM Referenoos (Place &d<HLional UTM reference.s on a oonliflu31i!10 ~ICCI)
Zone Eastfng Nortr, ing Zon e Easting Northir;g 1 ____ "" ___ :; _____ _
2 4
-~nl~on5tleer -------
Verbat B!JtJndsry Description
See allached map.
SOu nda ry JustifiCd1ion (Explai n whyltle bou 008 rie.s ..... '1ue s.ere~td on ;l (,OIllinuaUon Sheel_)
See attaCh ed Cl)nlin uation sheil1.
====;11"'1==" "' .. -= = ... ==;",=-= = = = :ac=== ,."'-= "''' .. "' ... ::z .... "'::;:::::c=::::::::::=-== .. ==-l'o .... IG="-z:= .. "'=::::.::-=;z =-=-.:=-= =a" .. "' .. "',,-=
11. Form Prepared By .
n8me/1itle __ ~J"'.!.!m"e"s"M"'c'-"E .. al"l"
organ·lzaljon~ric ResoUfSeS So{lrd ·Jdb:_.9Le~_1.2.All2._. d&le _____ F_OO'~L\!m4 ______ • __ _
streel& number planning pepQ!1meoLW~m..l.!1~.:..._I()lephooe ____ {!15bt27~:2:~L __ .,-_
city or town --..e...:ili!..B.i1Q ____ " ____ slale~ zip t:O\Je ___ J!!~ _____ . __ ~ ____ . __ _
.. Original application prl3:p.ared by:
Paula Boghosian
John Beach
In May 1~79"
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Additional Dowm!nletion
I;:D •• =~.~~ II 1::11;_1111 i::I =-.-• ..: .. ,. ... c .. =II:::II::z==:.::z ... ::,:::;::,::r: =-~==.=-II .. = =-=-:1 = 'l:"==:;::====-= :r.:. = =-I' ~ =-=-=c: =-II Q i::I =:;;
Subm~ the folf<:l'Wfng Rems wit~, the romp/Elled form:
Contrnu8t1orl Sheets
M.ps
A USGS map [1.5 or 15 mlnuta series) rrrdicaling the J)(oparty's loc.alion,
A sketch map for hlstoric dlstrict~ and propert~s having large aCfesge or numelOus flSSOU(ceS.
Photograp!\s
RepresenlatlvEil black and white photographs (If the property.
Addition&1 items (Check wilh !he SHPO or Ff'O for eny addillonal items)
1. name Slanford Unjyt{§].)': • land's Manaaeme"1 (conte~: Leonie Salkin) _._. ___________ . __ n _____ • _
street &: number -2l1J) Sand Hill Road ____ 'elepllone _ Hl~~Qn§ __
city or tOWIl -MMlQE.II"rkJL ____ _ Slsle _ CA __ 2 ip roje _~lli_~ ___ _
street & number 1250 Sao Ca;lld"OS,,-Al>YY."'~ __________ ' __ telephone _.Jil51..~M:illL_
city or town ~tn....Car1Qs • __ slale __ CA __ lip «)(fe _ ..QiQLQ __ _
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NATIONAl REGISTER OF KISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Section _7_ Page -L ~Mm PaCific Railroad peOOI
nome or Pfope(1)1
~1L<;;,!!Ia,,"~C .. A,,-_________ _
CCiun!~ and Stale
»~~~~~~=~~~~==========~u=======~~=========~=========~======~=============~==g====
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION
The Palo Alto So.nnem Pacffic Railroad Depot is Si1ua!ed at lhe ooulhweSl end of Palo AIIo's dowolown
bu$lnessdis1 net. rne area is dofined on three s!-jes by primary alrto.'lloblle I(affic arteries: EI Csmino Real
(C alifomla S~ale H:g hwny #32) to Ihe soulhwest, Uol ... ·e{$ily Ave nue (Palo Alto'r,. maio 51,eel) 10 ,r-.e soulheas1,
and Alma street (paralleling !he railroad tracks) to the northeast. Between the project sile aod £:1 Camino Real
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Is Ihe "Hostess House", a Na!ional Register pt'operty. des'9oed by art-Meet Julia Morgan and cons~ruded in 19U1.
The site Is fla! with the depot, train loading plalfonn and tracKs raised up on a pe<teslal above lhe adjacent
finish grade. The building improvements remain in their origioelloc.alions.
rne main stali{lo btJilding hous.&s a wailing (oom. resl(Ooms. Mflces and Hckeling faCitilies; fl is an elongaled
rectangle in plan. with the lonl) axis paraUello Ifle tracks. One-story in heighl. i! is!xi'N. of reinforced conetete
surfaced 'With plaster. The flat-roofed m ain bloc~ is jnlerseded on Ihe oorthe as' side and portions of the no rtheast
side by 8 lower. hOrizontal plan e which Pfovides o\l!door weather prated ion for wallin!} passengers, aoo extends
at the nol1hweM end to roof a small structU(~ hOusing baggage handHng and slorace. This canopy also protects
access 10 PEd<!slrian sulm3~ r.amps, one at Ihe north comer of the slation. and one allhe south corner. Bolh the
northeaSl and southwest walls of the main bloc!( are pierced b~ larlJa openings which provide access doo~ and.
through aHams:ing paners or clear grass a 00 "lass block, light for lhe wafling room. The southwest skle. whioo is
the eotrnn.ce for people who have arrived 01 the station b)l bus {lrcsr, is indicaled by a suspended canopy. The
upper comer of the northwest end of Ihe main block is fOunded ill elevalion. and thNe is 8 porthole opening With
htlrizontallolNers. There are Shipes in low relief in the plaster suIfa~ .... mich reinforce Ihe Mrlzonlal s-Iripe of re<l
b(icJo;, veneer al{lng the lower portion of toe exterior waH.
The inlerior public space of the building cons4sts of re slrooms and 8 laroe OpeJ1 space devoted to a wailing room
arld Uckel sales. The restrooms are slraighHo(wardly utilftarian, oot the wailingltlckel1ng room has decoralive
elements typical 0' the Modeme. Tflere is 8 colored calling border or supefimposed CMvlOns. and a different. bul
relaled pallem pi~ed oot in Ihe colored ceramic lile of Ihe floor. AI th e north comer of Ih e malo space lhis
paHemed border {lu1lines the loc.alion of a lunC'.h ~nter. long since removed. ThNe are Ihree elaOO'a!c l;ghl
fixtures. hanging ir'lthe main space; they are hexagonal in pfan. aOO are made of froSled glass aoo silver·finish
mela'. The ventila!ing {lrilfes and the clock. behind the tl~et counter carry out the h(lrizontallines and techr.o
toglc.5llmagery \)fthe building.
At the sowheasl end of the waiting room, over Ihe licke! counter, is a farge mural p!:linted in 1944 by John A.
MacQuame. The mural C<lnlafns fig:ures from Califom',a history; Na1\ve Americans, priesls, conquistadors. the
U.S. Calvary. seH!ers, pJosJ)Eldors. COWbOys. the pon~ express. Il stage coach, a Vi6W of Stgnford Universily, a
por1rail of lelaoo Slanford, and a streamlined locomol~ve of Ihe Soulhern Pacific.
In additfon to the marn stalion there are structures associated with ~eShian accoss ramps. and a passenger
waiting kiosk. These a re .all contempora ry WHh Ihe ~ation.
Tile passenger ki{lsic is a small ~ructure loealed to Ine nonheast oflhe slalion on the OPPOSite sfde (If Ule
trackS.Of felnforced concrete, and wilh a flat roof, the design of the k~osk is based upon that of the stalion buiklirlg.
II Is enclosed on three sides; lhe tounn. open side, facing the slation ~o the southweslls pUrlciualed by hvo:.
overscaled C<llumns. On the ends of Ihe building are geometric-jellers spellin{] PALO ALTO.
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NATIONAl REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEE r
$ect!otl --1-pege -2...~ Southern Pacine Bailroad Dew1
name <If property
~Ol!CI8r. CA
oounly arid Slale
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............. 9 ..... ""~"'"Ii:" ~~I;::::'OllS" =-:. .. =-=,.."' .... II "("1;1 "",,=:.,,,o=;,,,=",.<I::I-=:,='\lO==":);: ==::: = === = = =:11;:" .. ::' = ===-=::1 = ==
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TlitIre ace ~~an ramp .syste-."T\-5 al each end of the depot ~ich provk:ie u flderg round subway access It) both
slcIes Qlllle f8l!road I(aw. AU'!omotoi~ on unlversily Ayenu e to tha sott1 heast e ntet 8 n underpa ss whloh keeps
Imftic :s.eptH81a fm(I ooneath tr--l& IfSC$\S aod e)l.1cOOr loading area. The enlrances to two 0111'1658 ramps are
~IOO as petiphm-al p.3r1S of tho main SlalkJ.n. but the ~hcrs. eme~e 8$0 simple und'eooraled forms In the
p;;~nacr lOadi!1Q area. Unlik.9 Ihe steUon and kio.s.k. they Bfe n(ll Moderne in image. but aro trealed simplY as
a:cpos.OO.p{eC&S 01 engin!t'liog. ACCOrd~'lg1y 1M'; d¢ 001 add 10 the arcMeClural sli:!nificanc.e of lhe property.
\Wtllhe e xc-epr.;.oo (jf m ainlcnanceJrepair 'work and repainLing, Ina ex1en'or 011 he bu~1d in05 do Mt appea r to nave
been &):~ed, 1M Inleli<n or the ~&lion has uudef\loo-9 SOOle at1eraHons. As pteviousl~ menlioned. the original
1ltncl1 ooumer ",,--as removed 01 some poinL in rime. AdojiliOlfa!ly, ill 1982, the res!(ooms experienced mlnor
(Jl()(jiflC8tkm$; a~-.p.arf(ltl)' Itlis was done 10 improve RcceSS to these areas. Th'd ti¢k{!l counter was also modified'; a
sedioo or tho oounl.('{ was atjoje.j al the nortneast skle......tl 100 chang ed the orig ina I > L" conHgura!ion (0 a T sha pe.
counler. the S!or(;oJ8 o'r~ area l>ehifKI th<t lickel ro.mler t}E\d also enoounlcfed some changes.
NA llONAL A EGiStER OF HISTORIC PlACES
C¢NTINUATION SHEET
SOctk>n •• _~__ page _,_ _~11M(Qf~l~_Jj!'IfQ.~_Q~_
rntrno of ~rty
.JWUiJ<Jjlli!.~ __ ..
oovnt.)' aoo State
~Z==:~.~.~~~~.~~.~.~Q ••.• ~c~~a~1=~~~~~~aM~ •.. ~ .. ~~~~:~~~=~~=~=~=E===~=~=~~~~=~.~~
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The Pa'lo (1)'...0 SouVlem pttine Stanon. 11:l1J ~XOO~"'It .eX3R1p!-e Of fI $Iyf9 ~ld; has importanl COOrlectiOllS ""iltl
Am~uk ... n 30CIai histo.-y. end i$ a nI:te aPSh<".at:ion of I.ha t Sl)"le Ii) the 'Ofnl of 1M (.aitroM p.a 5oS-'}r'I{2er stalkln. 1M
bui ~'ng ~'$ an tmpo.rtOnl y~bl .l!M sod.a.1 tandm;i'X klilhe CiI:)' of Pah) A.!fo.
Th$ StroamllM ~me "tiS e (Q{m or PQPut!r I~~$m 'l.tlkh used lech[lMogk~1 m3tecials StIch as glass
btof;:k, 81ummum. \11((':'1"1&. etc :-0 P(('I;~ M IppioJoOale ffi3(hiM &'J8 image. This image was ooaploo in r31ldU part
(rom thai or ~ro.J mlir,ed 1(1ffi~ilOOn m.ich~~s. M rti<ulSriy 8 slhOse machfnes ~"CP) inlerpreted in seJ eoce fiction
m:tgIVines and mov~-s of the periOO. U.s. p'o:e~.d O(.oflm'sm abo.~! !he ~JS of Iccl1nology Qave the Slyfe a
!remend¢u.s symboJlc f:,>O'n'&i dvrlng UHt oeprt'_~'$.ion ~'Nf$ 0' lhe 19W5. Many of lhe oounlry's finest examples or
tho S;yic 3ro loc.aLed In C~~lfom:a. wth!(e illie.'eloped 10 pemaps i1s rnos! .wph~lica!w .ax1enl.
1M Sol!1.hen) PacWc StatlOn is s superl:\'y prCPOltb."led (':x3rnp:e "'fHell con\ains alilhe fea',ures 0' the style: o~as.s
t~OCks, cO(ved CQrne[S aoo hO;iloolel stri~I"O 10 imp'~' s.pc('d ~OO p(M'Pf, porthC>!es, aoo carefully consk1eroo
oomposllion and m8s...<:.!ng. ltH."re IS e ..... q.:.isi!e interior Oma((H'o11 200 a mural represenlatrv'o of the: publiC art of the
perlOO.
Ills sPf(Qpfiale thai 8 sI)18 dert.-ed r'lJffi the Sf.reanltinJ.nQ ptocess should t>e 1I~. 9S he{e, 10 OO<JS0 fundiQl1s
relaled [0 lr8IlSoporle:Lion. In Callf()(,11:j, a(d"lrfe~lJr&l !!y1'Il$:suctl as Lha M"IS$~ Revival artd Ihe Span1sh Color.lal
RC'.I(val were ty~C8ny used In railroad dep.::fls. &s Ihey were refllo .symb<~iz.e mote sHongly 10 Ihe out-of.slate
visffOf his 8frival1n exolk: Canfoml~. Thus. ihe -slreaml!ned Palo "'t!o Southern PaCific Sialion is a fare example,
aoo appears, In laCl, 10 be Ihe Only StI~am1inro, machine image (alt(oad slal/on inlho Slate,
Duling 1M heyday of '9illf8rt'!-pO(13tion tt)& SOot~m Piltific SlaHoo wa~ a ma}or entry poin\ to Palo Atlo. nol JUSI
for commuters, but for stodenf.$ AH~ndiOO $t3nfO«lUnlVE'f$i(y, ~~ (II'$! expcsule of [he city it was. IIthus
bec.a me F n lmpoJ1801 symbol 8 nd landmm • .and 8 $ Wd\, h.a.$. playe<' a ro!(; In the SOdal 8nd economic Ii fe or Ihe
!0'M1.
The buHding would sppeS( ~¢ Quality a.s eliglblo f(){ the NaLional Register 01 H~s.looc Places due 10 liS 6xO,lllenco as
an 8?(ample 0' ~s un'IQvs 6roollectu(sl.s1y10, Sli('aniifflt! Mooeme. 8nd r1s (a(j~y as an example of the style in the
Stali) of Californl9.
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NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SKEET
Section --L-Paga-L_ Joy1Mm ~~fu.i~'!ll~ ___ _
l1ame 01 property
~J;~",---_. _____ _
county 8nd S1atl3l
.c~=~~~===.~a.~~.~~ ••••• A •••• ~=.~= ••••• ~ •• a ••• ~ ••• ~.~~ ••• ~'.c.~===.~=~~c~a •• ~*.~.
BI BLIOGRAPKICAL REFERENC~.S
ImelVl~w w11.h Edgar A. Me 00'~1I, former Sou1Mm .Pacme fmptoyee. Dec. 10, H .. 7B.
Palo Arto TillJ6S
Feb. 15. 19<40
Aug. 22, 19<40
Jan. 25, 19<41
May 10, 1941
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Sectlo" -1L_ Page-1_
~OUNDRY JUSTIFiCATION
_~Q\!1Mmfjclfi. Rajlroag 0.001
name of propeJly
Sao'a cram CA
oount~ 800 Slate
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The propertV boundslies have been sel~ded 10 InC~ud'e the sigoiffCB:n! hlstoricsl reSOUfC&S: the DEpot bulkJillg eoo
Ktosk and the area ro bel'n'Oe 0, 'Wf11ch Includes the railtoad tracks and paSSCIIoer loading are a. Su rrou rrdfng
property has been excluded due t() numer<lus changes, specifically numerous road and aut<ll1l{)bil& parking
al1erallons. Ttl.e 5ur«)unding I&M, dLle to lhese cIlanoes, has flO hlst<lrical associalion wtlh the resource arld thus
oomributes no histone. or srchftectural sigr@cance 10 the property.
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. Section __ Pagf --L-. Southern pacl003eilfQad DeP2! ___ _
na me or property
Santa Cl 8es, CA
colInt)' and Slate
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PHOTOGRAPHS
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Ex1erior • View (mm north.
ExteriOl-NQrtheast 8lev81ion.
Exterior· Northaast elevaUon • closeup.
Exterio(. SOutheast elevation.
Exterf<:lr· Vfew r(um sotlth.
Extenor· SoutlWl1!st elewltfon • entry.
Extef1or· Sout~ elevation.
E.x1ertor • PorthOfe detail,
Exterior· Norttrwes! efevalion.
Exterior· Kiosk soulhwe.sl elevalion,
tote/iQr-Waiting area.
Inlenor· Tickel o:HJnter, rooking sou1heast.
lnlertor· Mural over tickel C(Junter.
Inlerior· L+ght fooure.
Pholbgrapl1er. James Mcfall
Oale of pho!og(aphs: October 1993-
L()C:;8li<:1n of r1egalives: Cftyof PaIOAI!o, Planning department.
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garden had nQ\ been drvelopcd: lllis. presentation w.a~ conceptual.
The
AndciSon applauded the application.
moved 10 support Ihe project as presenled
the garden area be devclop;::d wi,h a low
wood or wrought iron to
3, 1001 Ramona Slreet
and
pickel
enhance the
Board member Seoll prcle", this projeci on behalf
of the applicant The of lhe "pollielley 10 obuill
an over the par \\'all SUrfounl.1 whith
would have would ha,'c Hi a Home
rmp!' Il lequiring a $6O{),0{) a three month
w a i 1\ ng /-1' '''''0 a _
Board moved to support the projeCl as prc~('n!cd wilh
raU s.ystem but would prefer to suppon the solid shingled
is more in keeping with Ihe tlistoric style or the house,
Motion: Pas!.eu 3+0, with Board member SC01l not parlicipating.
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<\, 95 Universily Avenue (Soulhern Pacific Depol)
Gail Woolley, 16 Mariposa, t)())\ained this project was prepared for
applicalion and submitled some lime ago but w"s ItJrned down due
10 the facl Ihe building was only 47 year. old at the lime. II was
sub milled again ror eligibilily which was .pprov<d. Ms. Woolley is
requesting the board purSlte the application agaln. It was discussed
that a c()nle~( statement is flow requ!rcd in a much expandtd form.
Cynthia Howse, the archile"ur.' historian al SHPO, should be
conlacled or Sandy Elder al Ihe same office to delermine if Ihe
applitalion previously presented is 011 file and what C'urt'erit
l'equirements need (0 be met.
Chairman Anderson volun~eered to work on (he application.
George Zimmerman will call Cynthia Howse at the State Historic
Preservation Office.
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MINIJTES
20 April 1994
Members Preseot: Monty Anderson, John Baor, Jim McFall, Unda Scott
Members Abs9Dl: Elizabelh Killas
Siaff lIaispn: George Zimmerman
cOI!pcii liaison: Lanie Wheeler
2.
3.
~~r.!r=l as conlinued unlil May 4, 1994
.IYi~.~~::-: Bill Follman briafad th oard on the staH ra mendalion regarding Iha
Williams prope~y and Poll nd Sarvic ecommandalions to Council. Policy
and Services have dacided 10 p with a new modiliad RFP process.
Board members SCOII and And 0 ressed dismay regarding Ihe
recommonded process, a oughl that . houl Council strongly expressing a
diraction for siaff to fo , the procass has a
cantliCl again ari' over usa and preS9fVatian. (son was concerned thai
once again arvatior. olthe proparty must ba fought n orde' (or
prasarv . n to be a key ingradienl to the success ollha pro) Broil aM
An son will draft a lransmiHallo Council (lor Board ra"iew) pro ing the
erils 01 an allarnalive process which seeks to rosolve Ihe conf!i~1s b
incompatible uses and etfo~s to preserve Ih. process.
MOTION: approved 5:0
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4. 95l1niyersUy AvenuG • SQlJlhec'n PacWc Train Statioo
Jim McFall has prepared the applicalion for Nalional Register Sialus. ThOle ar~
Ihree principal effecls thai Nalional Register slalus lends 10 tho building:
a.) Funding oppo~unHies are enhanced.
b.) Changes require ao EIR.
c.) Building officials can apply the Sial. Hisloric Building Coda.
Board will dran transmillal to Council. Jim McFall will prepare transmillal; John
Baer will prepa", slides for presenlalion.
MOTION: approved 5;0
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